Families experiencing a qualifying life event may submit an Out-of-zone Request to allow their student to remain at or transfer to a public school other than their designated residential attendance zone school in the School District of Manatee County (SDMC).

Out-of-zone Requests are considered based on class size and/or school capacity, demonstration of genuine need, and student history (attendance, discipline, and academic).

Out-of-zone Requests are reviewed in the order they are received. Results are emailed to the enrolling parent listed in FOCUS. To avoid delays, make sure the student's address and enrolling parent email is correct in FOCUS BEFORE you submit the request.

Parents may submit an Out-of-zone Request for the following situations: 

• Change in military orders

• Court-ordered change of custody

• Foster Care placement

• Sibling is currently enrolled at the requested school

• New SDMC employee would like their child(ren) to attend the school work site

• Change of address, but student wants to remain at current school

• New home construction

Situations that are NOT ELIGIBLE for an Out-of-zone request include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Student does not like change

• Dislike of teacher(s) or administration

• Friends/social groups go elsewhere

• Siblings had a bad experience

• Thought house was in another school zone 

• Teachers and staff at the assigned school are not familiar with the student

• Student changed schools last year

• School is closer to parents' workplace (secondary)

• Parents/siblings went to requested school

• Athletic preference

• Already applied for Controlled Open Enrollment, but denied and currently on the waitlist

Out-of-zone Requests are considered based on class size and/or school capacity, demonstration of genuine need, and student history (attendance, discipline, and academic). Additional review criteria include the following:

• Out-of-zone Requests for schools at 90% capacity or maximum class size will be denied. These are the current Available Seats by School/Grade.

• Incomplete requests that are missing required documentation will not be reviewed.

• Student may not have more than 9 unexcused absences.

• Student must be in good discipline standing with less than 4 referrals.

• Secondary school students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

A description of the circumstances AND supporting documentation are required. Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to:

• Military orders

• Court-filed legal documentation

• Medical documentation

• Home purchase documentation

• New Home Construction 30-day Certificate of Occupancy

The ENROLLING PARENT may submit an Appeal for denied Out-of-zone Requests and wait-listed COE applications.

Using the form titled ‘APPEAL’ in their FOCUS parent portal account, the ENROLLING PARENT must submit a written statement that explains why they feel the denial would pose a serious and continuing hardship that cannot reasonably be eliminated or reduced by means other than reassignment.

The Appeal MUST INCLUDE a written statement and supporting documentation such as, but not limited to:

1. • Legal documentation
   • Medical documentation

The District Appeals Committee will review Appeals in order of submission, and decisions are final.

For instructions on how to submit an Out-of-zone Request, select your enrollment status below.

Out-of-Zone Requests must be completed/signed by the ENROLLING parent/guardian via their FOCUS account. The student applicant must be active, linked and enabled to the ENROLLING parent/guardian FOCUS account before the enrolling parent can access the Out-of-Zone Request. 

Make sure your contact information in FOCUS is correct BEFORE submitting the Out-of-Zone Request. Missing or incorrect data may delay and/or affect the outcome of your request.

In FOCUS, navigate to "Forms" and make sure you select "Out-of-Zone Request" and the desired school year.